Here’s some fun and interesting facts about Christmas and decking the halls:

It is believed that Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in one month.

Reindeer didn’t accompany a chubby Santa Claus until 1809, when introduced by Washington Irving.

In the Middle Ages, some people would light a huge candle on Christmas Eve. If the candle burned out before the end of Christmas Day, it superstitiously foretold of bad luck for the coming year.

According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” as sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time: over 50 million copies worldwide.

“The Homecoming: A Christmas Special” was written for television by Earl Hamner, Jr. It was based on his novel Spencer’s Mountain, a fictionalized account of his childhood. It became the pilot for the long-running show, “The Waltons”.

There are approximately 60 calories in a standard candy cane.

It is believed that Romans invented the Fruitcake in the 1400s as a way of preserving dried fruits and nuts so they wouldn’t spoil.

In 1510, the first written record of a decorated Christmas Tree came from Riga, Latvia. The tree was decorated with artificial roses.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 and is considered by many to be the official kick-off to the Holiday Season.

The idea of Santa Claus is based on the real Saint Nicholas, born in Fourth Century Asia Minor. Since then, his legend has remained as a kind, gentle-hearted gift giver who joyously put others’ needs before his own.

Some elements of the Christmas celebration actually began as pagan rituals; those in December celebrated “Light and Life”. The Early Church chose December 25th to celebrate in order to incorporate some of those elements in celebrating The Light and Life of Jesus Christ.

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet debuted December 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg.

The three most popular Christmas gifts are clothes (especially socks and underwear), jewelry and money/gift cards.

The three most-watched Christmas movies are “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “White Christmas” (1954) and “A Christmas Story” (1983).

Christmas is the second-most celebrated holiday in the world.

The first is New Year’s.

The Origins of Saint Nicholas
Cookin' Up a Storm
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